Question 1

We've just started wedding planning and want fun ways to incorporate music into our celebrations. What upcoming wedding trends can we expect?

Accepted Answer

Pairing a song with that key entrance of the new couple entering the wedding reception is becoming nearly as important as a first dance song. It's an opportunity for newlyweds to pick a song that matches their energy and personality. Some have even opted for the wedding parties dancing into the entrance hall, which we're seeing more frequently on TikTok this year, while others opt for their favourite feel-good track. Social media has transformed the wedding experience; some couples prefer their big day to have personalised hashtags and QR codes for guests, whereas others opt for a phone and photo-free wedding till after the celebrations. Either way, TikTok and Instagram's influence on social connections means that we're seeing more couples creating videos and highlight reels of their day rather than uploading an album of photos. These videos can be sent as thank yous with bespoke music that captures the wedding. Some of our customers even request their wedding band to record a song for these videos. Last year, we saw a trend of festival-themed weddings, but this year, we're seeing more bookings for DJ and party-style celebrations. In part due to the generation of those getting married this year being '90s babies, we're seeing a resurgence of DJs and live instruments for an evening of dancing at wedding celebrations around the UK. Guests this year can expect to see a DJ with unique additions of a vocalist, saxophonist or percussionist to add a spin on classic songs.

Question 2

We're thinking of booking our entertainment, but we're a bit worried about booking someone online that we've never met. Do you have any suggestions?

Accepted Answer

See the entertainer live if an opportunity arrives, although most function bands don't play public gigs. If this isn't possible, have a video call with the band leader, booker or entertainer to get a feeling about them. That way, you'll get a more personalised approach, while ensuring you can achieve your dream wedding. You can also ask to see videos of the team performing live to get a taste of what they offer newlyweds.

Question 3

This time of the year lends itself to having fun in the fresh air. What do you suggest is a great crowd pleaser for getting our guests together during the afternoon?

Accepted Answer

Everyone loves to have fun, so why not add games into the mix? It's great seeing children and adults playing games together and having fun on a beautiful summer's day. Our popular choices for weddings have been the giant Connect 4, giant Snakes and Ladders, Space Hoppers (adults and children), giant Jenga, croquet and lawn boules. We've also been asked to supply games for younger children such as Mini Golf, Quoits and Mini Skittles. Another way to bring people together is through food! We have a large metal candy cart, that can be used for drinks, light snacks, and other sweet treats and a sweet stand for all your favourites. Both come decorated with flowers. What stands about the cart is that it's got a vintage look and it's made of metal, not the usual wooden carts you generally see.

Question 4

We want our wedding to be one huge celebration from start to finish. What entertainment would you suggest for each element of the day to keep the party vibe going?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, I'd recommend finding a supplier who can supply the entertainment for all parts of your day. That way, it helps to take the stress out of managing multiple suppliers and you can relax and enjoy it all! The options are endless but I'd suggest a brass section to play at the entrance to the ceremony. They could play traditional jazz or contemporary classics. We also have numerous options that could play during the ceremony, such as a soloist or ensemble. A saxophonist goes down well during your drinks reception and why not opt for a pianist during your wedding breakfast? Your evening party would then come to life with anything from a DJ set to a 12-piece party band to fill the dancefloor until your day comes to an end. We work with our couples to make sure we get every element of the entertainment exactly as they want it and we believe that it's this attention to detail and our versatility on the night that sets us aside from other bands. With Sway you get our years of experience. We're used to taking charge of the entertainment, getting your guests up on the dancefloor and helping them to have a great time so you can concentrate on other things. If you get the right band there's so much less that you have to worry about on the night.

Question 5

We want to create a party atmosphere for our evening celebrations. What does a live band bring to the occasion?

Accepted Answer

A live band should bring that wow factor to your wedding. They should keep you and your guests engaged, thoroughly entertained and on that dancefloor. An experienced and well-rehearsed band, like Tashara Forrest and Sleeke Chix, will bring fresh and new originality to your favourite cover songs giving you and your guests an experience that you'll never forget. We perform a vast catalogue of music, spanning several decades and genres of music and we have an initial consultation with this catalogue to find out what type of music and feel you want for your special day. We can also learn new songs and tailor make our sets to your desire. We recommend you choose your favourite upbeat songs that you and your guests love to dance to for the reception entertainment. You should also definitely throw in a handful of your favourite ballads if you want to, but remember if you want the party to be swinging it's ideal to choose mostly up-tempo music. Finally, be sure to check out client testimonials of whichever band or performer you choose. We're proud to have a page on our website dedicated to lovely words from previous clients.

FAQs and expert advice about entertainment